say YES to yourself! | Midlife Reinvention: Real Stories, Bold Moves

Wendy Harrop

Say YES to Yourself! is a top midlife podcast for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who are reinventing their lives and navigating major life transitions.  This podcast is for you if you're asking: 1. Why do I feel lost as a woman in midlife? 2. Who am I now that my kids are grown and I have an empty nest? 3. Is it too late to reinvent myself in my 40s or 50s? 4. How do I rebuild after a divorce or a major life change? 5. Why do I feel guilty for wanting more for myself in midlife? 6. How do I stop people-pleasing and start putting myself first? 7. How do women reinvent themselves after caregiving or burnout? 8. How do I rebuild confidence and trust myself again in midlife? 9. How do I navigate a midlife transition without losing myself? 10. How do I make a career pivot in midlife that actually feels aligned? Each week, host Wendy Harrop interviews inspiring women who are reinventing their lives in midlife. From career changes and creative pursuits to empty nest transitions and personal breakthroughs, you'll hear real stories of midlife transformation, courage, and joy. Topics include: midlife reinvention, starting over after 40, second chapter living, empty nest syndrome, midlife career change, women's empowerment, personal growth for women over 50, midlife transitions, rebuilding after divorce, and finding yourself again in midlife. Say YES to Yourself! is for midlife women ready to shed outdated expectations, rewrite their stories, and put themselves first—without guilt or apology. Your best chapter starts now.

  1. 3D AGO

    The Manifestation Practice That Built a $37 Million Business | Max Lewis

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! If something in your life or work is asking for space, you can learn more about the Creative in Residence experience at the Phineas Wright House here: https://phineaswrighthouse.myflodesk.com/cyekpegz8g In this very special episode with the first male guest in Say Yes to Yourself history, Wendy sits down with Max Lewis, an entrepreneur who sold his propane exchange business for $37 million in 2017. Max shares the exact manifestation practices that took him from writing down an "insane" goal to receiving a check that changed his life. They explore: Why asking yourself empowering questions is more powerful than having all the answersHow writing down your goal and reading it daily with emotion changes your frequency (and your results)Why he cut off anyone (friends, family, even his best friend) who didn't support his visionThis is a conversation about saying yes to what you want without letting price tags stop you, why faith without works is dead, and understanding that the goal isn't about the thing. It's about who you become in the pursuit. Max didn't care about the money. He cared about proving to himself he could overcome the obstacle his mind created. Connect with Max: Instagram @whoismaxlewis: https://www.instagram.com/whoismaxlewis His Books:  Who Is Max Lewis? https://a.co/d/04JPZMJxMaxie & The Magic Mango https://a.co/d/07RfI6A1________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    1h 5m
  2. 5D AGO

    How to Shift From Inner Critic to Inner Coach | Johanna Danaher

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Explore Wendy's bespoke experiences in 2026:  Space to Dream: Workshops Around the World    Edinburgh July 6-10  Walnut Grove Cookery Aug. 27 - Sept. 2.   More Trips & Experiences In this episode, Wendy sits down with Johanna Danaher, leadership coach and founder of Anchor to Aspire, who helps leaders shift from reacting to choosing. After 25 years in corporate HR, Johanna reinvented herself as a solopreneur coach, building a business around the paradox of the ocean: you must be anchored in yourself to aspire to greatness. They explore: Why every unaligned yes is a no to something that matters moreHow to shift from inner critic (beating yourself up) to inner coach (asking deeper questions)Why creating ritual and ceremony around tasks you avoid makes them easier to doThis is a conversation about choosing joy even in chaos, holding paradox without toxic positivity, and learning how to talk to ourselves in ways we'd talk to someone we love. Stop critiquing yourself. Start coaching instead. Connect with Johanna: Instagram @anchortoaspire LinkedIn Facebook AnchortoAspire.com ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    48 min
  3. MAR 20

    How to Charge What You're Worth (Even When It Feels Uncomfortable) | Vivian Okeke

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! If something in your life or work is asking for space, you can learn more about the Creative in Residence experience at the Phineas Wright House here. Get Liz's Spring Equinox Meditation here. In this episode, Wendy sits down with Vivian Okeke, HR consultant and entrepreneur, who helps solopreneurs build the systems and culture they need before they hire their first employee. After losing her older brother suddenly last year, Vivian made a decision: stop overthinking, stop waiting for perfect, and start saying yes to opportunities that add value—even when they feel uncomfortable. They explore: Why you need standard operating procedures (SOPs) before your first hire, and how to create them without it feeling overwhelmingHow to redirect the "can I pick your brain?" conversation and start charging what you're worthWhy entrepreneurship doesn't have to be lonely when you build community and collaborate with other business ownersThis is a conversation about stepping out of your comfort zone, valuing your expertise enough to charge for it, and building the infrastructure for your business now, before you think you need it. What if the knowledge you've spent years acquiring deserves to be valued, not given away? Connect with Vivian: Instagram @vivian_c_okeke LinkedIn Get Her Book: Beneath the Cornerstone VivianOkeke.com ProSupportHR.CA  Referenced in this Episode: Living in Alignment: The Elevation Era Starts Now | Eva Kennedy How to Build a Team That Actually Stays | Erin Krueger Liz McHutcheon's Episodes: Saying Yes to Being Present The Camino Pt. 1 The Camino Pt. 2 ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    52 min
  4. MAR 18

    Podcasthon 2026 | Preventing Divorce-Induced Poverty with Susan Tripi of The Sparrow Collective

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Join Wendy for her Summer Solstice White Party, June 20, 2026: Wear white, gather at the long table in the field, and toast to the season ahead. Save your seat here.  This episode is part of the 4th edition of Podcasthon—the world's largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together podcasters globally to raise awareness for important causes. For one week, more than a thousand podcasts highlight a charity of their choice, uniting voices to make an impact and increase awareness for amazing nonprofits. In this special Podcasthon 2026 episode, Wendy welcomes back Susan Tripi, founder of The Sparrow Collective—the first supportive living community in Massachusetts exclusively for women transitioning through divorce. Susan turned her own devastating divorce into a mission to prevent what the statistics reveal: 80% of women are unprepared to navigate divorce, 44% fall into poverty post-divorce, and $113.5 billion in child support sits in arrears. The Sparrow Collective isn't a shelter. It's a sanctuary. A fully equipped, intentionally designed community providing safe housing, comprehensive empowerment programming, and holistic support for women in the critical 1-3 year window after divorce—the period when women are most vulnerable to slipping into poverty. They explore: Why slowing down and allowing space to breathe is essential when building something transformationalWhat happened when the "perfect" property fell through—and how Susan held the vision with loose handsWhy this model is replicable and scalable across underutilized properties nationwideThis is a conversation about holding big vision with open hands, trusting divine timing even when doors close, and understanding that the energy behind the movement doesn't stop when one opportunity ends.  Connect with Susan: Contribute to the mission here. Previous Episode: Redefining Divorce Support TheSparrowCollective.org Facebook Susan.SparrowCollective@gmail.com ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    53 min
  5. MAR 13

    Living in Alignment: The Elevation Era Starts Now | Eva Kennedy

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Explore Wendy's bespoke experiences in 2026:  Space to Dream: Workshops Around the World Edinburgh July 6-10  Walnut Grove Cookery Aug. 27 - Sept. 2 More Trips & Experiences In this episode, Wendy sits down with Eva Kennedy, empowerment speaker who teaches women how to say yes to the highest version of themselves. Not the version society, family, or friends say you should be—the version you were always meant to become. They explore: Why saying yes to yourself isn't selfish—it's living in alignment with the highest version of yourselfHow to stop shrinking and allow your light to shine which gives others permission to do the sameWhy surrendering the outcome is easier and more freeing than trying to control the howThis is a conversation about remembering who you are, living from a place of grace and gratitude instead of fear and resistance, and understanding that the only limitations we have are in the choices we make. What if 2026 is the elevation era—and you get to say yes to whatever has been placed on your heart? Connect with Eva: The Power Summit: Chicago, March 28, 2026 Website evamkennedy.com Instagram @evamkennedy LinkedIn Facebook Community: 1 Million Women, 1 Million Steps Referenced in this Episode: A Course in Miracles ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    54 min
  6. MAR 11

    Empty Nest Side Hustle: Starting a Wine Truck Business Over 50 | Marile Borden

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Join Wendy for her dreamy Summer Solstice White Party on Saturday June 20, 2026 —an al fresco evening of delicious food, intention-setting, and celebration at the Phineas Wright House. Wear white, gather at the long table in the field, and toast to the season ahead. Save you spot here. Learn more about The Women's Lunch Place in Boston.  In this episode, Wendy sits down with Marile Borden, marketing agency owner who decided in her first year of empty nesting to start a side hustle with her husband: buying an Italian-made wine truck and becoming a professional partygoer. When friends sent them pictures of a wine truck at a graduation party, Marile and her husband—in different parts of the house—saw the photos simultaneously and both thought: we could do that. Three weeks later, they said yes. They explore: How to recognize inspired action when your body says yesWhy having a project to do together as a couple makes empty nesting exciting instead of emptyWhat it takes to start a side hustle over 50 This is a conversation about trusting your instincts, taking action on entrepreneurial ideas even when you're "supposed to be" winding down, and building something fun with your partner during a major life transition. What if empty nesting isn't an ending—it's the perfect time to start something new? Connect with Marile: thegetawaybar.co Instagram @the.getawaybar Facebook ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    46 min
  7. MAR 6

    Aging Gracefully vs. Aging Helplessly | Dr. Sofia Din

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Creative in Residence at the Phineas Wright House While I’m traveling this year, I’m opening my home for Creative in Residence experiences. These are two-week stays for writers, founders, artists, and deep thinkers who want uninterrupted time to create, reflect, and execute on the work that matters most. If you’ve been craving dedicated creative time this year, you can get more information here.  In this episode, Wendy sits down with Dr. Sofia Din, board-certified family physician with over 25 years of medical experience, who calls it like it is: the U.S. healthcare system is not about health—it's a sickness management system. And menopause? It's not covered. Because menopause isn't a sickness—it's a normal phase of life that happens to be an all-system pause. Not just your reproductive system, but your gut, your brain, your immune system, your bones, and your skin. And nobody told us what to expect beyond "you won't have a period anymore." They explore: Why stepping into your power requires decoding your genetic code—understanding your ancestors, your trauma, and the possibilities within youHow your skin and brain cells are eternal quantum entangled soulmates (and what happens when one fails)Why aging gracefully and aging helplessly are distinctly different thingsThis is a conversation about reclaiming your power, refusing to age helplessly, and understanding that knowledge applied is power. What if you stopped waiting for your insurance to tell you what's important and started advocating for your own health and well-being? Connect with Dr. Din: Instagram @drjuvanni LinkedIn Her Podcast: Bathroom Diaries Her Book: Do We Really Need Botox? Handbook of Anti-aging ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    54 min
  8. MAR 4

    When Life Shifts From Chaos to Ease | Bianca D'Alessio

    Fan Mail: Tell Wendy how you're saying yes to yourself! Explore Wendy's bespoke experiences in 2026:  Space to Dream: Workshops Around the World Edinburgh July 6-10  Walnut Grove Cookery Aug. 27 - Sept. 2 More Trips & Experiences Questions? Email Wendy! In this episode, Wendy sits down with Bianca D'Alessio, real estate entrepreneur and author of Mastering Intentions: 10 Practices to Amplify Your Power and Lead with Lasting Impact, who knows what it's like when everything starts working. Not the hustle-and-grind kind of working—the aligned, ease-filled, things-fall-into-place kind of working. The kind that comes after you've been through seasons of difficulty and built the resilience to shift. They explore: Why you don't need to qualify your desires or explain every step of your journey to make someone else comfortableHow to stop living in the version of yourself from 6 versions agoWhy giving people grace for where they are on their journey changes how you show upThis is a conversation about alignment, inspired action, and recognizing that we're all crossing paths at different points in time. What if you stopped waiting for the world to understand and just said yes to yourself anyway? Connect with Bianca: Get her book, Mastering Intentions: 10 Practices to Amplify Your Power and Lead with Lasting Impact Instagram @biancadalessio LinkedIn biancadalessio.com Referenced in this Episode: The Numerology of Endings and Renewal | Dina Berrin Coffee Chat with Dina Berrin ________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Wendy: Linkedin Instagram: @wendy.harrop Facebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm Stays PWH Curated Experience and Travel Interested in being a guest on the show? Send your pitch to podcast@phineaswrighthouse.com Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a  5-star review. It helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.

    47 min
5
out of 5
86 Ratings

About

Say YES to Yourself! is a top midlife podcast for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who are reinventing their lives and navigating major life transitions.  This podcast is for you if you're asking: 1. Why do I feel lost as a woman in midlife? 2. Who am I now that my kids are grown and I have an empty nest? 3. Is it too late to reinvent myself in my 40s or 50s? 4. How do I rebuild after a divorce or a major life change? 5. Why do I feel guilty for wanting more for myself in midlife? 6. How do I stop people-pleasing and start putting myself first? 7. How do women reinvent themselves after caregiving or burnout? 8. How do I rebuild confidence and trust myself again in midlife? 9. How do I navigate a midlife transition without losing myself? 10. How do I make a career pivot in midlife that actually feels aligned? Each week, host Wendy Harrop interviews inspiring women who are reinventing their lives in midlife. From career changes and creative pursuits to empty nest transitions and personal breakthroughs, you'll hear real stories of midlife transformation, courage, and joy. Topics include: midlife reinvention, starting over after 40, second chapter living, empty nest syndrome, midlife career change, women's empowerment, personal growth for women over 50, midlife transitions, rebuilding after divorce, and finding yourself again in midlife. Say YES to Yourself! is for midlife women ready to shed outdated expectations, rewrite their stories, and put themselves first—without guilt or apology. Your best chapter starts now.

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